Walk this way

The most satisfying journey you take this
summer could be an inward one, courtesy of the labyrinth at Jubilee
Farm.

A center for ecology and spirituality operated
by Benincasa Ministries, the farm can be found just west of
Springfield on Old Jacksonville Road. There, in a picturesque
setting among gently rolling hills, the prairie grass yields to a
twisting path — the labyrinth.

A labyrinth is a single winding path laid out
in concentric circles, or “circuits.” In contrast to a
maze, which seeks to confuse, only one path will take you to the
center of a labyrinth and back. Rest assured, the only way to lose
yourself in a labyrinth is in the figurative sense.

The labyrinth at Jubilee Farm offers a
one-mile journey that is less about walking and more about going
within. Stepping onto its path, you follow in the footsteps of
countless others throughout history who have been drawn to this
ancient ritual.

So what is the lure of the labyrinth?

“It is a source of prayer,” says
Sister Sharon Zayac of Jubilee Farm. “It’s about
listening to yourself and everything around you.”

Labyrinth walkers are encouraged to move at a
leisurely pace, in silence, and focus on the moment rather than on
the destination. In fact, each moment is the destination in the labyrinth.

On arriving at the center, some choose to linger and mentally release their troubles
before beginning the journey back out. Others focus on receiving
whatever the experience would offer.

Though sometimes associated with Christianity,
the labyrinth’s origins go much deeper in history and in
mystery. Archaeologists have found stone carvings of labyrinths
dating back to at least 2500 B.C. The symbol has been found in
ancient cultures ranging from Peru to Iceland, Egypt to Arizona.

According to Zayac, early Christians adopted
the labyrinth from pagan cultures and made it their own. Though its
earliest uses remain a mystery, in medieval times Christians walked
the labyrinth as a symbolic (and safe) pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Today’s sacred traveler is more likely
seeking prayer, insight, relaxation, or communion with God or
nature. Rich in symbolism, the labyrinth’s circular design
whispers of unity, Mother Earth, or the journey of life —
ending back where we began. Yet, like a spiritual Rorschach test,
the meaning found in the labyrinth is as varied as those who walk
its paths.

“People who walk the labyrinth regularly
say it’s a different experience every time,” Zayac
says.

Those new to the practice should consider this
helpful piece of advice: Leave your expectations behind. Zayac says
it’s not uncommon for walkers to hope that the ancient ritual
will magically make their problems disappear. The realities of the
experience tend to be much more subtle.

“A lot of people who enter the labyrinth
burdened are still carrying their burdens when they leave,”
says Zayac, “but they often have a new perspective on their
troubles.” The labyrinth’s outdoor location helps in
this regard. Nature has a way of nudging us toward a loftier
vantage point.

Life lessons from the labyrinth are not
limited to adults. Children have had “some pretty deep
experiences” there, says Zayac. One youngster, after
journeying to the center, decided to skip over several circuits to
quicken her exit. Instead, she found herself on a path taking her
farther from her goal. Reflecting on her experience, she said:
“I learned if you take a short cut, you get lost.” Not
bad for an eighth-grader.

As a catalyst for contemplation, the labyrinth
goes beyond age and denomination. “The beauty of the
labyrinth is that it touches you wherever you are in your
faith,” says Zayac. “This is not a Catholic thing; this
is a God thing.”

The labyrinth is open to the public
year-round, with group walks scheduled each month. It is one way
Jubilee Farm fulfills its mission to “offer opportunities to
connect with the land,” says Zayac.

Whether you’re seeking spiritual
renewal, relief from stress, or simply to satisfy a curiosity,
Jubilee Farm invites you to experience the labyrinth. Who knows? A
walk down its path may help you walk away a little lighter.

“You never know where life is going to
lead you,” says Zayac, “and that’s true of the
labyrinth as well.”

Summer labyrinth walks at Jubilee Farm are
scheduled for 1 p.m. June 18, 6 p.m. July 21, and 7 p.m. Aug. 12.
Call the farm, 217-787-6927, for more information. To learn more
about labyrinths or find one near you, visit www.veriditas.net or
www.labyrinthsociety.org.